Patriot's head coach Bill Belichick calls Tim Tebow a talented guy

Tebow signed with Patriots Tuesday

Tim Tebow Tuesday signed to play with the New England Patriots. The high-profile quarterback, who spent one season mostly on the sidelines with the New York Jets, joined the team as the Patriots opened up a three-day minicamp.

"He's a talented guy, smart, works hard," Patriot's head coach Bill Belichick said in a news conference on Tuesday.

Belichick said the same thing at least three times during the news conference.

"Tim is talented player, that’s smart and works hard, so we’ll see how it goes."

"I like Tim, I have a lot of respect for Tim."

"Talented player who is smart and works hard."

After about a dozen questions about Tebow, Belichick finally said, "I think we’re already talked enough about him, we’ll see how he does and go from there. I think I’ve covered it, anything else?

When asked if Tebow would be a distraction, based on the extra media that attended Belichick's news conference Tuesday, Belicheck said, "Hopefully there will be more than that at the games on Sunday."

Tebow was waived by the Jets on April 29, one year after throwing a touchdown pass to win a playoff game in overtime for the Denver Broncos.

The transaction was first reported Monday by ESPN. According to the report, Tebow will play the role of quarterback, though he could be used at other spots if he makes the team. The Patriots have Tom Brady and Ryan Mallett at that position already, but they released quarterback Mike Kafka on Monday.

Belichick wouldn't say what role Tebow would play with the team.

"He can do a lot of things," Belichick said. "Anything we do, we feel is in the best interest in the team."

Two people with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press that Tebow was signed for two years with no guaranteed money. One person says he will make the veteran's minimum salary, with incentives.

The people spoke on condition of anonymity because terms of the deals had not been announced.

Copyright 2013 Scripps Media, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.